There are reports ISIS has obtained more advanced SA-18 and SA-24 MANPADs from bases they overran in Syria. That will increase the threat to western C-130s delivering supplies in northern Iraq. However, all of the airlifters are outfitted with countermeasures systems, and we know a good deal about those MANPADs.
One more cure for the attacks on the transports. Send an AC-130 in ahead of the airlifters; with the various sensors on board, “Spooky” can easily detect AAA/MANPAD positions and take them out. After that, the amount of ground fire directed against the “trash haulers” will decrease geometrically. There are plenty of jihadists in Iraq and Afghanistan who tried to take on an AC-130, and got a head start on their allotment of virgins.
Thanks. Your post gives me hope about our dealings with these animals.